US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, dies while surfing in California, as his brother says he passed away 'doing what he loved'
Richard Thornton was on the 1980 Olympic team which boycotted the games He had served as the coach for the San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, died after suffering a medical emergency while surfing, his brother said Thursday.
Thornton was at a popular Santa Cruz surf spot when his passing occurred
‘Sorry for having to share this information, but Richard Thornton passed away surfing today at The Hook in Santa Cruz,’ Marc Thornton, Richard’s younger brother, wrote on Facebook.
‘Doing what he loved. More to follow, but wanted to let everyone know.’
Thornton was a member of the US Olympic swim team in 1980 which boycotted the summer games in Moscow.
Richard Thornton died while surfing at The Hook in Santa Cruz, his brother said this week
Thornton (second from left) is seen with his father (center) and other members of his family in an undated photo
He later moved on to coaching and had led the San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984.
Thornton also coached US national and junior national teams in Paris, Japan and Brazil, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
He was a graduate of UC Berkley with a bachelor’s degree, and his father Nort served as the school’s swim coach for more than three decades.
Pacific Swimming called Thornton’s passing ‘a great loss to the swimming community’ in a statement.